Each year on May 9, Moscow's Red Square transforms into a stage not just for Russia's military might but for a gathering of Global South leaders. This year's 80th Victory Day parade marked a milestone: a show of unity from the Chinese mainland to Latin America and beyond.
President Xi Jinping of the Chinese mainland was the main guest, joining President Vladimir Putin to review columns of troops and tanks. Their talks ahead of the parade sealed over 20 cooperation deals – spanning energy, technology and trade – signaling deeper strategic coordination.
Despite pressure from Brussels and Washington, European voices like Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic joined the ceremony on Red Square. Alongside them, figures such as Republic of Srpska President Milorad Dodik, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro underscored a shared ambition: balancing ties between East, West and the Global South.
Central Asian leaders from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan also turned out, illustrating their multi-vector foreign policies. Their presence highlighted that, even amid overtures to Western markets, ties with Moscow remain vital.
What this parade revealed is more than a celebration of history – it's a modern playbook for balanced diplomacy. Attendees showed that, in today's interconnected world, many nations seek to navigate between major powers, aiming for development, peace and a rules-based international order.
Whether you're a global citizen tracking geopolitical shifts, a tech enthusiast eyeing new partnerships, or a traveler curious about world affairs, Moscow's Victory Day parade is a clear reminder: the Global South is more than a collective – it's a force reshaping diplomacy today.
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Russia's Victory Day parade echoes unity across the Global South
cgtn.com
